The SEC had 10 teams selected to play in the Big Dance, the most of any conference. So far there have been some huge surprises in March, with favorites falling and underdogs rising to the occasion for the SEC. Here is how every SEC team has fared so far in the tournament heading into the Sweet 16.
Alabama
Alabama was in a battle with Hofstra in the first round until guard Labaron Philon Jr. took over, scoring 29 points in a 20-point win. The Crimson Tide then took down Texas Tech in the second round in blowout fashion, hitting 19 three-pointers. Head coach Nate Oats was pleased with his team’s performance after beating Texas Tech and praised his team’s effort.
“When you lose yourself in a game, lock into playing defense, making the effort to play, getting stops, getting rebounds, that stuff takes care of itself. I think this game exemplified it as much as any game you’ve ever seen,” Oats said.
Alabama will have a tall task ahead of it when it matches up with 1-seed Michigan on Friday.
Florida
The defending champions started their run in March with a 59-point blowout of Prairie View A&M. In one of the biggest upsets of this tournament, Florida was knocked off by 9-seed Iowa in the second round, ending the Gators’ chance at back-to-back national championships.
Really proud of our guys and the way we fought Gators head coach Todd Golden said. “Obviously came back and took the lead, got up by as many as — I think we were up 3 or 4 at one point late in the second half — and just did a poor job executing on both ends in the last two minutes.”
Arkansas
Arkansas cruised past Hawaii in the first round behind a balanced effort, with every starter scoring in double figures. The Razorbacks faced tournament darling High Point University in the Round of 32, where they were tested but prevailed behind a huge game from SEC Player of the Year Darius Acuff Jr., who scored 36 points in the win. Arkansas’s two freshmen, Acuff Jr. and guard Meleek Thomas, have stepped up big this year when called upon, which has impressed head coach John Calipari so far.
“They have otherworldly confidence,” Calipari said. “Both of them. They could run for president and believe, ‘I could run this country.’”
Arkansas will have its hands full in the Sweet 16 when it faces off against 1-seed Arizona.
Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt opened up in the first round in a close battle with McNeese but was able to pull away thanks to 26 points from guard Tyler Tanner. The Commodores’ season came to an abrupt end in the second round after Nebraska made a layup with two seconds left and missed a half-court heave at the buzzer.
Tennessee
The volunteers were able to handle Miami (OH) in the first round with a 22-point win. They were then able to take down 3-seed Virginia in the second round thanks to great shooting from their two starting guards, Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Bishop Boswell, who hit seven 3s combined. They will head into the second weekend of the tourney to face off against the second-seeded Iowa State.
Texas
The most surprising team of them all has been Texas. After losing three in a row to end the year, they ended up in the first four versus NC State, whom they beat in a close matchup. The Longhorns then proceeded to knock off the sixth-seeded BYU to advance to the second round. They are still not done, though, as they would also upset the 3-seed Gonzaga to advance to the third round as an 11-seed. They have a big matchup on Thursday versus the 2-seed Purdue to advance to the regional semifinal.
Texas A&M
The Aggies upset Saint Mary’s in the first round with a monster performance from forward Rashaun Agee, putting up 22 points and nine rebounds. Their season came to an end in the second round after being blown out by the 2-seed Houston.
Georgia
It was a very disappointing tournament for Georgia as they were blown out by Saint Louis in the first round, giving up 102 points in the defeat.
Kentucky
Kentucky needed a half-court shot at the buzzer to tie the game but ended up prevailing over Santa Clara in overtime, thanks to Otega Oweh dropping 35 points. They would get bounced in the second round by the 2-seed Iowa State, ending Year 2 for Mark Pope.
Missouri
Missouri’s run in March did not last long as they were eliminated in the first round by Miami.They fell 80-66 to the Hurricanes after only being down one at half.
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